Pimentel to PNP: “Go all-out” against hit squads, guns-for-hire

(Eagle News) — Senator Koko Pimentel on Wednesday, Nov. 21, urged the Philippine National Police to “go all-out” against guns-for-hire and hit squads to ensure peaceful elections.

Pimentel issued the statement following what he said was the spate of election-related killings of local officials.

“The PNP must show that it is serious in this endeavour,” Pimentel said, noting that in the first place, these police operations should already be part of regular operations.

According to Pimentel, the PNP “must disarm these guns-for-hire and hit squads and timely file cases against them with sufficient evidence.”

“Our police force must also improve on their investigation skills so that everyone with links to these syndicates can be brought to the bar of justice. And if the investigation shows that those among their ranks are involved in these illegal activities, then the PNP must purge their ranks of these rotten eggs,” Pimentel said.